The effect of physical fitness on mortality is overestimated
Hacker NewsSunday, May 18, 2025 at 10:42:50 PM
A new discussion suggests that the life-extending benefits of physical fitness might not be as dramatic as previously thought. While staying active is still important for health, some researchers argue that earlier studies may have overstated how much exercise directly reduces mortality risk. The conversation digs into study design flaws, confounding factors, and whether we've been oversold on the "fitness equals longevity" narrative.
What This Means: If you've ever felt guilty about skipping a workout, this might ease your mind a little—but don’t ditch the gym just yet. The debate highlights how complex health science really is, and why we should question sweeping claims (even the ones we *want* to believe). It’s less about dismissing fitness and more about understanding what the data actually shows.
— Curated via WP Now’s AI editorial system
